BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 3204
89R22071 KJE-D	By: Metcalf; Lalani (Schwertner)
	Education K-16
	5/7/2025
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

In August of 2024, the Texas State University System voted to reinstitute and rename the Josey School of Vocational Education as the Polytechnic College for the purpose of addressing the region's workforce challenges and growing industry demands. Employers have reported difficulty finding workers with industry-specific skills, which can be remedied by enabling the college to offer post-secondary credentials that can lead to a bachelor's degree to fill the gaps in key in-demand industries. H.B. 3204 seeks to facilitate this process by restructuring the existing vocational school into the Polytechnic College to provide educational opportunities that are aligned with current industry needs.

H.B. 3204 amends current law relating to the Polytechnic College at Sam Houston State University, including the college's eligibility to participate in certain programs.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 96.63, Education Code, as follows:

Sec. 96.63. New heading: POLYTECHNIC COLLEGE. (a) Provides that the Polytechnic College, rather than the Josey School of Vocational Education, is a division of Sam Houston State University (SHSU) and is under the direction and control of the board of regents of the Texas State University System, rather than the Board of Regents, State Senior Colleges.

(b) Provides that the administration of the college, rather than school, is under the direction of the president of SHSU.

(c) Requires the college to provide career and technical education for individuals who desire to avail themselves of short intensive courses in career and technical education. Requires that the education be designed to lead to career and technical education certificates, as defined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

Deletes existing text requiring the school to provide vocational training for individuals over the age of 18 who cannot qualify scholastically for college entrance and for other persons who desire to avail themselves of short intensive courses in vocational education in certain fields and other trades of like nature. Deletes existing text requiring that the training in these subjects be organized so that the courses may be completed in from 9 to 24 months. Deletes existing text authorizing courses to also be offered in English and mathematics and other subjects which will contribute to the vocational training of the student. Deletes existing text authorizing vocational courses in government, designed to prepare workers in various county, city, and state offices, to also be offered.

(d) Requires the college, notwithstanding any other law, to be funded in the same manner as a public state college, as defined by Section 61.003 (Definitions).

Deletes existing text providing that the rate of tuition charged students is required to be the actual cost of teaching service, not to exceed $500 per scholastic year of nine months. Deletes existing text authorizing scholarships to be awarded by the board of regents to worthy indigent students who might greatly benefit from the training offered. Deletes existing text providing that the amount of the scholarships is authorized to vary according to the needs of the individuals, but in no case is it authorized to reduce the tuition payment by the student to a point less than the tuition fee regularly charged students at the state senior colleges.

SECTION 2. Amends Section 56.401(2), Education Code, to redefine "eligible institution."

SECTION 3. Amends Section 61.09092(a), Education Code, to redefine "lower-division institution of higher education."

SECTION 4. Amends Section 61.881(2), Education Code, to redefine "lower-division institution of higher education."

SECTION 5. Provides that the change in law made by this Act to Section 56.401(2), Education Code, applies beginning with grants awarded under the Texas Educational Opportunity Grant Program for the 2026 fall semester. Provides that grants awarded under the Texas Educational Opportunity Grant Program for an academic term before that semester are governed by the law in effect immediately before the effective date of this Act, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.

SECTION 6. Provides that the change in law made by this Act to Section 61.881(2), Education Code, applies beginning with grants awarded under the Texas Reskilling and Upskilling through Education (TRUE) Program for the 2025 fall semester.

SECTION 7. Effective date: September 1, 2025.